1935 Fiat 508 CS Balilla Berlinetta Aerodinamica
- Engine
- Revised-head small-displacement inline engine with updated carburetor, 36 hp, four-speed gearbox
A rare 1935 Fiat 508 CS Berlinetta Aerodinamica, chassis 076019, designed by Mario Rivelli de Beaumont, wind-tunnel tested at the University of Turin, and constructed by Fiat's Carrozzeria Speciale — one of only eleven built and the sole known survivor with verified period Mille Miglia participation. Delivered new to Francesco Borgo of Venice, it passed to Alberto Comirato and Lia Dumas, who placed 2nd in class at the 1936 Mille Miglia. Later held by the Agusta family collection, the car retains a fully traced Italian ownership history supported by a FIVA Identification Card.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €381,875 (≈ $420K)
- 1935 → 1936Factory deliveryFrancesco Borgopartial documentation
Original recipient of the car upon completion, based in Venice. Sold the vehicle within approximately a year of delivery.
- 1936 →Private saleAlberto Comiratofull documentation
Purchased in January 1936 and immediately entered the car in competition alongside his wife Lia Dumas. Period press coverage documents their use of the vehicle in the 1936 Mille Miglia and other events.
- 2014 →Acquisition unknownCurrent ownerfull documentation
After acquisition, the owner commissioned a thorough mechanical rebuild prior to the 2016 Mille Miglia Storica entry, followed by a concours-level body restoration with strong emphasis on preserving originality.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAgusta family collectionpartial documentation
The car spent a significant number of years in this noted Italian family's collection, known for their motorcycle and helicopter enterprises. Tenure is recorded on the FIVA identification card.
Competition
- 19361936 Mille MigliaDriver: Alberto Comirato2nd in class, 14th overall
Co-driven by Lia Dumas, nicknamed the Queen of the Mille Miglia. The pairing received coverage in contemporary press following the event.
- 19361936 Corsa Internazionale allo StelvioDriver: Alberto Comirato5th in class
Contested the same year as the Mille Miglia entry, again with Lia Dumas as co-driver.
- 20162016 Mille Miglia StoricaTop 100 finishers; 11th among 84 original-entry Mille Miglia cars
A full mechanical restoration was carried out ahead of this appearance. The strong result was cited as confirmation of the quality of the preparatory work undertaken.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Complete mechanical restoration carried out in preparation for the 2016 Mille Miglia Storica; work was thorough enough for the car to finish in the leading group overall.
Commissioned by the current owner following acquisition in 2014.
- —Bodywork
Post-2016 concours-level bodywork and cosmetic restoration undertaken with close attention to preserving originality.
Carried out after the Mille Miglia Storica appearance.
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